kohen gadol

Yom Kippur – Renewing Commitment

Why is the death of Nadav and Avihu the preface to the High Priest’s service on Yom Kippur? How does one relate to the transgressions one has done, and the distance he has created between himself and God? How does one use the power of commitment to move past the ‘seven falls’ and ‘stand up?’…

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Tetzaveh – Do We Have Free Will?

If God is all-knowing, how do we have free will? What is the significance of the miracle of the western candle of the menorah that always stayed lit? Why did the kohen gadol start lighting and end lighting there? What is the significance of the fact that Moshe could not succeed in forming the menorah?…

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Acharei-Kedoshim – Balancing Spiritual and Physical

Why does the Torah preface the avodah of Yom Kippur with the mention of the death Aharon’s sons, Nadav and Avihu? Why does the high priest keep changing his garments during his service on Yom Kippur? If the white garments represent absolute humility, why doesn’t he wear them the whole time? If the gold garments…

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Tetzaveh – Clothing that atones

What is the significance of the special clothing of the kohanim? How does the Kohen gadol serve to atone for the entire Jewish people? What does it mean that his clothing atones for certain great sins of the Jewish people? What is the root of the concept of clothing? How is it connected to the…

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